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I'm planning to spend about ten days in Greece this summer (June 23-July 3). I will be arriving from somewhere else in Europe, so jet lag will not be an issue. I know I want to spend a few days in Athens, and then I would like to go to two (possibly three if they are close) islands. The problem is that I am totally overwhelmed as to what islands to visit.
I have never been to Greece before, but have traveled all over the rest of Europe. I've kept putting Greece off, waiting to go with someone else, and but I'm sick of waiting so I thought I'd just go for it. I'm in my mid-20s and will be traveling alone. I love art and history (I'm getting my MA/PhD in Art History), and I'm not looking for nightlife or to party. Beaches are not important. I have no desire to rent a car. I'm not familiar with the ferries in Greece, but I would like to visit places that are easily accessible-as in, the ferry drops me off at the town and I don't have to take bus or something to another city. I realize that this means I will be dealing with more crowds/tourists, but I've accepted that and its ok. I like doing day trips, so I don't mind taking a bus or whatever for that. I hope this will not be my one and only trip to Greece.
I've read guidebooks and all of that, but I'm just really confused and overwhelmed by the choices. Obviously, I would like to see Greek ruins, but I'd also like to spend a day or two just relaxing and taking in the scenery. I'd like to spend the night in places that have ample restaurants, are lively and nice to walk around in the evening. I like good/fresh food, but nothing too expensive (over 20euro/meal). I'm more of a casual diner.
Finally, my budget. I usually stay in hostels and cheap hotels, but this trip is going to be a little treat for myself. I'd like to keep it around 100E/night for hotels, but I'll go up to 150E/night if its worth it. I hope this is reasonable, but I realize that June is near high season, so if its not just let me know. My budget for the ferries is flexible.
I don't have any flights booked for this yet either, so I'm flexible where I begin/end. If it makes a difference, I'll be flying in from BCN and out of Greece to Hamburg.
I would really like to get some good advice/ideas, so if I neglected to mention something or you need more info, please just let me know!
Greece - help with islands
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We've had about 5 trips to Greece, mainly to the islands, and can understand you being overwhelmed. When I read that you liked history but also somewhere lively with lots of places to eat, I thought of Mykonos. You can get the ferry there from Athens or fly (takes about 25 mins) and Delos is a short ferry hop away.
We did a half day trip to Delos, just walked down to the port at Mykonos town, hopped on to the next ferry going to Delos, paid our entry fee and enjoyed wandering around. It's very historical and interesting, also hot and dusty with little shade. Mykonos town is very picturesque with loads of little touristy shops and cafes. On that trip, we flew from Athens to Mykonos, then ferry to Naxos, ferry on to Santorini, then flew back to Athens.
Another trip we flew into Rhodes which has an enormous amount of history but completely different in feel and look from Mykonos and did a one day trip to the island of Symi which is gorgeous. We wished we could have stayed on Symi for a few days.
Hope these ideas help a bit. Lots of people on this forum like Naxos, we thought it was nice but prefer other islands. Santorini is the most spectacular, once you've seen the views there you could never forget them.
As far as accessibility goes, the ferries arrive at the new port in Santorini where no one stays (not sure if there are any rooms there). The buses meet the ferries and it's about 20 mins into the main town of Fira. Oia is about another 20 mins ride away, on a separate bus. The ferries come into Mykonos Town, so no need for further transport and the same on Naxos.
Kay
Thank you for the info Kay! I did have Delos and Santorini high on my list. My initial thought was to do Santorini and Mykonos (I guess because they are the most well known), but I would really like to see ancient ruins. I had looked at Rhodes, but I think I will skip it this trip-just because its further away and I'd like to see more in a smaller area. I'd also like to go to Crete, but I think that is also another trip.
When you went to Athens/Mykonos/Naxos/Santorini/Athens, how long did that trip take you? Would a week be reasonable?
I don't mind taking a bus into town, I just didn't want to ride one for over an hour to some remote village.
Where is the best area to stay in Naxos, that also has easy access to the ruins? What islands did you prefer to Naxos? Santorini? Mykonos? Others?
I'm sorry if my posts are confusing-I just keep getting all of these islands and what's where mixed up!
Hi Laura,
From reading your posts, it seems to me you should devote more time to Athens, which has all you are looking for and more, plus an excellent public transport system. You could also take a trip to Napflio in the Peloponnese, a seaside town with many important archaeological sites near by. Then maybe go to one island instead of two or three.
For islands near to Athens look either to Aegina, Hydra, etc in the Saronic Gulf (quick ferry ride from Athens) or the Cyclades, with Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos and Paros the most obvious. Mykonos has the advantage of a beautiful chora (main town) and the wonderful Delos only 30 minutes away by excursion boat. It's also easy to reach from Rafina, Athens' second port. Santorini has picture postcard scenery, but takes up to seven hours to reach by ferry. Paros and Naxos are noted more for their beaches than for antiquities. Paros takes four hours, and Naxos five hours, by Blue Star ferry.
Any island with an airport can be reached from Athens in less than one hour by air.
Nafplio, not Napflio. Sorry!
www.greecetravel.com great site good insider info.
Usually get great deals in Athens at the Intercintinental
bidding priceline www.betterbidding.com or Hotel Attalos
nice moserate on sites like Otel.com
Islands www.cavehouses-santorini.com probably
my fav for awesome caldera views over what was
legendary atlantis many other great options
based on travel likes/style.
Happy Hunting,
Hi Laura, no, a week would not be anywhere near enough time. We did that trip - Athens, Mykonos, Naxos, Santorini, Athens - in 3 weeks. If you only have a week, visit Athens and one island. Mykonos would be good as it's so close to Delos and is very pretty and lively too (Mykonos Town that is, not Delos).
On Naxos we stayed in the main town, the Hora, where the ferries come in. You are right by the ancient Portara - doorway to the Temple of Apollo - but I don't remember other ancient ruins there.
We preferred Santorini and Mykonos to Naxos. Rhodes and Crete (Chania) were both good but didn't have that island feel so much, as they are much larger. Hydra was just OK, it was the end of the season so quiet. Symi was lovely but we only did a day trip. I wouldn't recommend Milos, it didn't have much character compared to other islands. Folegandros was beguiling, the Hora is peaceful and picturesque.
That probably just throws more islands into the mix and confuses you more! Why not write down which places are starting to interest you the most and what you'd like to see and do there. Maybe that would help. I think the internet gives us all information overload so I do know how you feel.
Kay
Hi Laura,
You are right, Crete and Rhodes should wait for a later trip. You will want t least 3 days to visit Athens with your expressed interest in art and history. Then consider no more than two islands. I'd recommend one so you can settle in and then add a day trip. If you stay on Paros, you'll get a nice island feeling plus you can take a day trip to either Delos or Antiparos or Naxos.
You could also consider a flight from Athens to Santorini. Then take the ferry up to Paros and a ferry or flight back to Athens. Many artists live on or visit Paros so you might like that element.
Again, Mykonos might fit the bill for you - I am older and find Paros more peaceful. Everyone has their own favorite island, you have to visit them and one will suddenly feel like "yours". Folegandros was mentioned and although it is lovely, choose islands that are readily accessible so you don't waste too much time in transit. Although, the ferries really are fun and so I prefer them to air as they count as part of the experience.